Mappin makes return to the City

JEWELLER Mappin & Webb is to return to the heart of the City of London 10 years after leaving its famous building at No 1 Poultry. It had been there since 1889 and redevelopment of the site was the subject of a lengthy planning battle.

The jewellery and silverware retailer owned by MW Group after a management buyout from Asprey three years ago, is to open a store in Lion Plaza, a development at the apex of Old Broad Street and Threadneedle Street.

A few hundred yards from the old site, the 4,500 square feet store will open in February 2003, complementing the group's Fenchurch Street shop.

Chief executive Judith Pilkington said the group, which also owns Watches of Switzerland, enjoyed good growth over Christmas. Like-for-like sales were ahead by 5.2% in the nine weeks to 29 December.